Sea Shepherd founder Paul Watson released on bail in Germany

Paul Watson, Canadian founder of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, a direct action group for marine conservation. He has been released on bail after spending a week in jail on charges of endangering a Costa Rican fishing boat in 2002.

The Canadian-born founder of the environmental activist group Sea Shepherd, Paul Watson, has been released on bail in Germany.

CNN reports that Watson, who was arrested while transited through Frankfurt airport last week, posted a bond of 250,000 euros (US$318,000).

He is accused of endangering a Costa Rican fishing vessel during a confrontation off Guatemala’s coast in 2002.

"It's a relief to be out after a week. I didn't expect something that happened 10 years ago to sneak up on me in Germany," Watson reportedly said after his release, according to CBC. "I had to take action with my crew a decade ago to protect hundreds of sharks and, of course, sharks poachers have very powerful allies in government and in other places."

In a statement on its website, Sea Shepherd slammed the extradition process as "bogus", adding: "while we have won a victory with the decision to allow Captain Paul Watson out on bail, the battle to save his life must now intensify."

Costa Rica has been given 90 days to formalize its extradition request and provide all the relevant documentation, the ABC explains.